Real Madrid full-back Marcelo says sorry to fans following defeat

The Spanish giants suffered their first back-to-back defeats since May 2009 when they lost 2-1 away at Sevilla in La Liga on Wednesday, a result which saw them slip three points behind leaders Atlético Madrid.

Marcelo admits that Real Madrid have been mentally affected after the results against Sevilla and Barcelona, but is determined to approach the remaining matches like cup finals in order to keep their hopes of the title alive.

"We created chances but we were unable to make the most of them, that's football," he told the club's official website.

"But we would like to apologise to the Real Madrid fans, who always support us. We knew the end of the season would be very difficult, with very important matches and we will keep on fighting."

"Now there are several matches that are like finals. Of course we players suffer psychologically but we cannot stop working hard and we are going to keep doing so to get Real Madrid to where it should be."

"It is difficult to win several matches in a row like we have. We have lost two matches and now everything is more difficult."

Real Madrid will return to the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday when they face Rayo Vallecano.